If you don't have the California Certificate of Title, you need to use an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) to transfer ownership. The lienholder's release, if any, must be notarized. The buyer should then bring the completed form to a DMV office and we will issue a new registration and title.
If the seller is not the owner whose name is on the title, you will need a Bill of Sale signed by both the seller and the person whose name appears on the title. A record of the odometer mileage (if the vehicle is less than 10 years old).
Selling Your Car? Here is All the Paperwork You Will Need (California Edition) California Certificate of Title. Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262) Notice of Release of Liability (REG 138) Statement of Facts (REG 256) Application for Title or Registration REG 343.
What is included in a bill of sale? Buyer and seller details. You should include their full names, addresses, and contact information. Description of the item being sold. The sale agreement. Location and date of sale. Terms and conditions of the transaction. Buyer's signature and seller's signature.
If you're buying a vehicle from someone whose name isn't on the title, the California DMV requires a vehicle bill of sale.
Get a bill of sale from a regulatory agency. Many government agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, offer bill of sale forms for public use. Using a form directly from a government agency ensures that you have all of the information required for your state.
Many states don't mandate notarization for bills of sale. States like California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New York allow transactions without a notarized document. In these states, a signed bill of sale is often sufficient for legal purposes, provided it includes all required information.
Your bill of sale shows proof that both buyer and seller had legal intent to transfer ownership of any given item. Because of this, your bill of sale protects both parties involved in the sale from any malicious legal issues.
A bill of sale does not have to be digital to be considered valid. Both handwritten and digital formats are generally acceptable, as long as all necessary information is listed and you have the consent of both parties.